If you've waited at least a half-hour and it's still stuck, you can force a shutdown, but it may be running the monthly malicious software removal tool, which scans your system and takes a while to complete. If you don't have to shut it off, just unplug your ethernet cable or the power to the modem and let it run. Forced shutdowns when windows is installing can cause corrupt files and lead to other issues.
If it really is locked up, you might wish to read the logs in Event Viewer when you reboot, to see what caused the problem. Perhaps do some maintenance (see herehere, and here) on the system. These lockups are an early warning sign, and attention given to them now could save you the need to reinstall the OS later.

I hope this information allows you to resolve this issue. If you need further assistance, please post back with a comment to this thread. If I've managed to answer your question or solve a problem, please take just a moment to rate this post....thanks!

If you are stuck with this screen even after you reboot, you need to reboot the machine and navigate to the repair menu and choose system restore and go back before the updates. When choosing to update, I choose to let windows download but I hold off on the installation so I can control it. Sometimes if there are several installs, windows can choke.

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One of the best kept secrets of Windows XP is it's built in repair feature!

In previous versions of Windows, correcting an operating system error, or installing a new motherboard, usually meant formating and reinstalling, resulting in loss of all data. Don't worry; Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system!

Why would I want to reinstall Windows XP?1) Can't start Windows XP in safe mode.2) You have problems caused by a recently installed system update (Windows Update, hotfix, Windows XP service pack, or Microsoft Internet Explorer update).3) Your problems can't be solved with system restore, or you can't access system restore.4) You've installed a new motherboard, or made other major hardware changes and need to reinstall Windows.

Step 2: Backup. It's always a good idea to backup your important data before making changes to Windows XP. Relax, if you follow these instructions your data will be perfectly safe.

Step 3: Boot from your Windows XP CD. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD. Can't boot from your CD? Please see the note at the bottom of this page (Configuring Your Computer to Boot from CD).

Step 4: A blue screen will appear and begin loading Windows XP Setup from the CD.

Note: RAID/SCSI/Unsupported UDMA users:You will be prompted to "press F6 to install any third party SCSI or RAID drivers". Most users will not have to press F6, but if you are running RAID, SCSI or unsupported UDMA controllers, then you will have to have your controller drivers on a floppy disk. If you are unsure whether you have RAID/SCSI, then simply let the CD load without pressing F6.

When completed loading files, you will be presented with the following "Windows Setup" screen, and your first option. Select "To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER". DO NOT select Recovery Console.

One of the best kept secrets of Windows XP is it's built in repair feature!

In previous versions of Windows, correcting an operating system error, or installing a new motherboard, usually meant formating and reinstalling, resulting in loss of all data. Don't worry; Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system!

Note: The system repair function will remove any updates you have previously installed that are not included on the CD. Drivers will also be reverted to their original XP versions, as well as some settings (network & performance settings may sometimes be reset to their defaults). It may be necessary to reactivate your Windows XP as well. When finished, you will have to download all of the updates from Microsoft Windows Update, because they are all replaced during repair.

Why would I want to reinstall Windows XP?1) Can't start Windows XP in safe mode.2) You have problems caused by a recently installed system update (Windows Update, hotfix, Windows XP service pack, or Microsoft Internet Explorer update).3) Your problems can't be solved with system restore, or you can't access system restore.4) You've installed a new motherboard, or made other major hardware changes and need to reinstall Windows.

Step 2: Backup. It's always a good idea to backup your important data before making changes to Windows XP. Relax, if you follow these instructions your data will be perfectly safe.

Step 3: Boot from your Windows XP CD. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD. Can't boot from your CD? Please see the note at the bottom of this page (Configuring Your Computer to Boot from CD).

Step 4: A blue screen will appear and begin loading Windows XP Setup from the CD.

Note: RAID/SCSI/Unsupported UDMA users:You will be prompted to "press F6 to install any third party SCSI or RAID drivers". Most users will not have to press F6, but if you are running RAID, SCSI or unsupported UDMA controllers, then you will have to have your controller drivers on a floppy disk. If you are unsure whether you have RAID/SCSI, then simply let the CD load without pressing F6.

When completed loading files, you will be presented with the following "Windows Setup" screen, and your first option. Select "To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER". DO NOT select Recovery Console.

When presented with the screen below. press the F8 key to continue

Next, Windows Setup will find existing Windows XP installations. You will be asked to repair an existing XP installation, or install a fresh copy of Windows XP.

If no installations are found, then you will not be given the option to repair. This may happen if the data or partition on your drive is too corrupted.

Note: If you install a fresh copy, all data on that partition will be lost!

Your almost finished! Windows XP will appear to be installing itself for the first time, but it will retain all of your data and settings. Just follow the prompts, and have your CD-KEY ready if needed.

Do you have more than one system, or lost your CD-KEY? Visit the keyfinder page to retrieve your CD-KEY.

Update: Due to the proliferation of the Blaster and Welchia Worm/Virus be aware that a Repair Install will leave your system vulnerable. You can get infected within seconds. Do not go on line until you have enabled XP's firewall first.

Remember to run Windows Update! (install critical updates first)

Configuring Your Computer to Boot from CD

Many computers are not configured to boot from the CDROM. If you cannot boot from the CDROM, this is probably due to the boot order of your devices being incorrect. You can change this in the BIOS.

You enter the BIOS from the first screen you see when you turn your computer on. To enter your BIOS, most users here will press the DEL key.

Most Dell, Toshiba, Gateway, Sony & HP systems will press F2.

Compaq users will usually have to press F10.

IBM typically uses F1 or F2.

Other brands may have different keys to press to enter setup, F1, F2, Del, Tab and CTRL+S. If possible see the manual for your computer or motherboard. Also, the BIOS will usually display which button to press to "enter setup" during POST (if it flashes by too fast, press the Pause key).

When you enter the BIOS setup, you need to change the boot order. The CDROM should be setup before the Hard Drive. Each BIOS is different, but here is an example:

Showing the steps to boot up in safe mode from Windows XP.
If Windows XP is the only operating system installed on your computer, booting into Safe Mode with these instructions.
1.If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.
2.Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
3.Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears.
If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a
"keyboard error" message. 4.To resolve this, restart the computer and
try again.
5.Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected.
6.Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
7.When you are finished with all troubleshooting, close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.
To use the System Configuration Utility method
1.Close all open programs.
2.Click Start, Run and type MSCONFIG in the box and click OK
3.The System Configuration Utility appears, On the BOOT.INI tab, Check
the "/SAFEBOOT" option, and then click OK and Restart your computer
when prompted.
4.The computer restarts in Safe mode.
5.Perform the troubleshooting steps for which you are using Safe Mode.
6.When you are finished with troubleshooting in Safe mode, open
MSCONFIG again, on the BOOT.INI tab, uncheck "/SAFEBOOT" and click OK
to restart your computer.
Select your steps to boot up into safe mode to your Windows XP System.
Other relative articles: Crack windows password from system SAM filesHow to reset Windows administrator password if forgot Windows Xp/2000/2003/2008/Vista/7

To
get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe mode, as the computer is booting
press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced
Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.

Note:
With some computers, if you press and hold a key as the computer is
booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of
pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until
you get the startup menu.

Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe mode
- If after several attempts you are unable to get into Windows 2000 or
Windows XP Safe Mode as the computer is booting into Windows, turn off
your computer. When the computer is turned on the next time Windows
should notice that the computer did not successfully boot and give you
the Safe Mode screen.

Once
you're done in Safe mode if you want to get back into Normal Windows
restart the computer like you normally would and let it boot normally. Click here to get additional information about getting out of Safe mode.

To
get into the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Safe Mode, as the computer is
booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows
Advanced Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.

Note:
With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is
booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of
pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until
you get the startup menu.

Trouble Getting into Safe mode
- If after several attempts you are unable to get into Safe Mode as the
computer is booting into Windows, turn off your computer. When the
computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the
computer did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.

First try to boot with last know good setting if this doesn't work boot into safe mode and choose a system restore point and then retry you update again. Always be sure your laptop is plugged in when installing or doing updates, since if the battery dies in the middle of an installation or update your stuck like this.

1.Restart your computer. Immediately after the screen goes blank for the first time, press the F8 key repeatedly. The Windows Advanced Options
menu appears. If the menu does not appear, restart your computer and
try again. Use the cursor keys on your keyboard (your mouse will not
work) to select Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start.

.
If you recently installed new hardware, shut down your computer and disconnect the hardware. Then, restart Windows XP and troubleshoot your hardware to get it working properly.
3.
Restart your computer and press F8 again. This time, choose Safe Mode
and press ENTER. Windows XP attempts to start in Safe Mode, which does
not automatically start programs and hardware, and displays very
primitive graphics. If Windows XP starts successfully in Safe Mode, you can remove any programs or updates you have recently installed. Then, restart your computer normally.

Performing a repair installation of Windows XP can fix many serious
startup problems. While you should not lose any of your important
documents, you might lose settings, and you will need to reinstall many updates.Before performing a repair installation of Windows XP, you should have both your Windows XP CD and your product key available.To perform a repair installation of Windows XP
1.
Insert your Windows XP CD into your computer.
2.
Restart your computer. If prompted, press a key to start from the CD-ROM.When the Welcome to Setup page appears, press ENTER on your keyboard.On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then, press F8.When prompted, press R to have Windows XP attempt to repair Windows by reinstalling important Windows components.The repair and reinstallation process might take more than an hour.
Eventually, Setup prompts you to answer questions just as if you were
installing Windows XP for the first time. For detailed instructions,
read Install Windows XP.

First try to install MBAM (malware bytes anti-malware) in safe mode (press f8 while the computer is booting) Boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
If that doesn't work, the easiest way would be format the hard drive with the windows disc that came with the computer. That is the best way to ensure the problem is gone. All your information will be deleted, so you will want to copy things you need or want to an external hard drive or burn them to a CD.

An issue has been identified by Microsoft that, after installing Windows Updates, a Computer displays a Configuring updates: stage 3 of 3. 0% complete message, reboots, comes back to that message again, and repeats the cycle. This problem occurs when Windows Update is attempting to install update 937287.

Follow this procedure to resolve the error:

1. Remove all connected peripheral Devices from the Computer.

2. Press and hold the power button until the Computer completely shuts down.

3. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

4. Leave the Computer without any power for at least 30 seconds.

5. Reconnect the Computer to the power supply and then turn it back on.

6. Allow the Computer to start normally.

NOTE 1: Once the Computer has completely started into the Operating System, Windows Updates should automatically finish installing the update. If the update again fails to install completely, restart the Computer in Safe Mode (by tapping the F8 Kay at Start-up) and use the System Restore feature to return the Computer to a time before the issue started.

NOTE 2: To avoid this issue, obtain and install update 937287 from the Microsoft Download Center separately from all other updates on the Windows Update site. Install the update that applies to your version of Windows Vista so that you can successfully install future updates.

To get into the Windows 2000 / XP Safe mode, as the computer is
booting press and hold your "F8 Key" which should bring up the "Windows Advanced
Options Menu" as shown below. Use your arrow keys to move
to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.Note: With some computers if you press and hold a key as the
computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of
pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get
the startup menu.Trouble Getting into Windows 2000 or Windows XP Safe mode -
If after several attempts you are unable to get into Windows 2000 or Windows XP
Safe Mode as the computer is booting into Windows, turn off your computer. When
the computer is turned on the next time Windows should notice that the computer
did not successfully boot and give you the Safe Mode screen.

I would suggest that you run only one stick of Ram at a time to determine if they are the problem.. Also these CPU's had heat problems that damaged the cpu. This also causes freezing. I would consider resetting the CPU and the heat sink, and case fans are clean and working.